Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: LeftAngle on Sunday,February 24, 2013, 07:46:24 AM
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I've been busy putting my car together so I can take it out to: 1. Have it plumbed; 2. Have it wired; 3. Have the body fiberglassed. I've come to the revelation that there are experts out there who can do these jobs in units measured in hours... As opposed to me doing a worse job in units measured in weeks.
Plumbing and wiring are relatively straight forward tasks and I already have the people lined up to do them. I've mounted the MSD, coil and wires where I want them, so all that needs to be done is to hook everything up (correctly).
The fiberglassing isn't so easy. The true experts are out of my price range and finding someone competent enough to reproduce my vision of what looks correct on my car seems to be an "iffy" thing.
At first, I thought I'd form the foam myself, having ordered 50 pounds of liquid foam and saving all the cardboard boxes the UPS guy leaves on my porch. My plan was, once I had the form correct, the fiberglassing part would only be dependent on how smoothly it could be applied and finished.
I realize now, my ability to make matching foam sides is, well, impossible. I don't have anywhere near the expertise necessary to do a job I've never attempted to do before. Doing what I've done to the car so far is already bumping against the envelope of my abilities.
My solution was to use a model, purchased off eBay, modified to how I'd like to see the fenders formed. The body shop can use it along with the stripe I've added to the car to understand exactly what I'm looking for. The front fender changes are more subtle, but the model shows what I'm looking for and where the fiberglass needs to be built up perfectly.
I hope this works. If not, I may be missing this summer. Here's my model and the wiring components I've already mounted:
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One thing you could try is to look around for "something close" that's made as a routine for another car. As an example, back in the early 70s I had a Triumph GT6 that I wanted to look like, well, nothing on earth really. (I was much younger ::) )
I got some wide wheels that wouldn't fit the car so bought some fibreglass wheel arches intended for the Ford Escort Rally car and blended them into the bodywork. Actually, it wasn't so good but I was younger and to my eyes it looked great at the time - it looks a very dated picture now.
Anyway, the point is, look around for other cars and what's being made for rally and race cars. You might find an off-the-shelf solution. The model you've done looks very similar to the rear arches I fitted to that GT6.
Brian
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One thing you could try is to look around for "something close" that's made as a routine for another car. As an example, back in the early 70s I had a Triumph GT6 that I wanted to look like, well, nothing on earth really. (I was much younger ::) )
I got some wide wheels that wouldn't fit the car so bought some fibreglass wheel arches intended for the Ford Escort Rally car and blended them into the bodywork. Actually, it wasn't so good but I was younger and to my eyes it looked great at the time - it looks a very dated picture now.
Anyway, the point is, look around for other cars and what's being made for rally and race cars. You might find an off-the-shelf solution. The model you've done looks very similar to the rear arches I fitted to that GT6.
Brian
Maybe the rear wheel arches of a Lotus Type 62? http://userdisk.webry.biglobe.ne.jp/003/881/22/N000/000/000/125767395302616231581_200kNeko091_03s.jpg (http://userdisk.webry.biglobe.ne.jp/003/881/22/N000/000/000/125767395302616231581_200kNeko091_03s.jpg)
Richard (Banks Engineering) could possibly help you with that. He built a Type 62.
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The Type 62 is the basic shape (great photo, btw), but without the air intake so the front needs to be blended into the side of the body. Because of the wide tires, I had to radius the wheel opening, but hopefully, the flare will protrude just beyond the tire and the opening adjusted to just kiss the tread diameter, looking at it from the side. The front opening would still carry the slightly flattened shape, but the fenders wouldn't be any higher than they are now... I'll know how close I'll be able to keep the flare as soon as I mount the front wheel, which I'm about to work on in 15 minutes or so. The 14" front wheel and tire combination is 1" smaller in diameter than the OEM wheel and tire and the new 15" wheel and tire that's back there now.
I don't know why, but I seem to have this "unique" gene imbedded somewhere inside and I need to create a body shape that has never been seen before. The rear 62 style flares and the fuller front end would satisfy my need as well as produce a balanced design that doesn't look out of place. I had spent quite a bit of time researching available flares a year or so ago and came up empty. The trend appears to be "bolt-on" which is not what I want.
It may cost me a couple of months' allowance, but a year after it's done, I won't remember how much it set me back.
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The fiberglassing isn't so easy. The true experts are out of my price range and finding someone competent enough to reproduce my vision of what looks correct on my car seems to be an "iffy" thing.....
Just to throw out a thought, when I think of artistry with light weight glass and foam, I don't think of body shops or even boat builders, but rather board shapers. There are quite a few surfboard shapers in your region.
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A side note, IS THAT DIAMOND PLATE? on the bulk head???
How heavy is that! :WTF: :headbanger:
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A side note, IS THAT DIAMOND PLATE? on the bulk head???
How heavy is that!
1: Yes... But it only spans the visible portion of the firewall above the frame between the fuel tanks.
2: About 10 lbs per side (it's behind the seats as well) The pieces are bolted together, their primary purpose is to strengthen the bulkhead surrounding the inspection port cut thru the middle.
3: Functional bling.